The Book Covers The Entire History Of The American Sea-Farer From The Days Before The Discovery Of The New World Up Until 1888, From The Fisherman, Through The "Blue Jacket," The The Yachtsman. From The Preface: "In All The Mass Of Material Devoted To The Doings And The Duties, The Experiences, The Adventures And The Romance Of The American Sailor There Is To Be Found No Work That Presents In Consecutive Narrative The Progressive Record Of The Seamen Of America. Such A Narrative This Volume Seeks To Tell. Jack's Story, However Poorly Told, Possesses A Certain Interest That Must Enliven Even The Dullest Tale, For The American Sailor Has Made His Name The Synonym Of Daring, Of Endeavor And Of Achievement. His Arm Has Been The Stoutest In Sea-Fight; His Heart Has Proved The Most Undaunted In Peril, The Most Faithful In Time Of Stress, The Most Kindly In Seasons Of Doubt, Of Trial And Of Disaster." The Contents Include The Following Chapters: The Earliest Mariners; Navigators And Explorers; Colonial Ships And Sailors; Buccaneers, Smugglers And Pirates; Colonial Sea Struggles; In The Revolution; A Rising Power; "Eighteen Twelve"; On The High Seas; Fishing Smack And Whaler; Arctic Service And Inland Waters; Blue Jackets Of Sixty-One; The Gentleman Sailor; And Flotsam And Jetsam. For The Student Of American Maritime History, This Book Should Not Be Overlooked. Here Is A Nicely Organized Chronicle From The American Beginnings Through The End Of The Nineteenth Century.